I think it's a great job, but you also need to be lucky and hard working. Can't say I'd be too happy after a decade in a LoCo followed by China followed by working for another LoCo to get back home. But I'm lucky enough to work for a company that looks after me well and bases me where I want.
My days off are mine, I can turn up to work, fly and go home. No additional BS that being self employed brings. I watch self-employed relatives not getting a moment's peace for months on end, not a single day off.
Or my doctor friends spending 6-7 years at uni to get a lot less money than I do with worse shift patterns.
Think I'll stick to being a pilot!